Abstract

This quantitative study explored the coping strategies used by students in managing depression and evaluated their effectiveness. Conducted at Balite National High School in Surigao Del Norte, Philippines, the research aimed to provide insights into students' perceptions of coping strategies across behavioral, emotional, and situational domains. A simple random sampling method was employed to select 111 participants from the Senior High School’s student population of 154. The results indicated that students generally perceive coping strategies as practical tools for managing depressive symptoms, with no significant differences in perception based on demographic factors such as grade level, age, or sex. While overall perception of coping strategies was positive, there were variations in how specific strategies were perceived. Strategies like spending time in nature and engaging in hobbies were viewed as highly effective while seeking professional help and changing daily routines were perceived as less effective. This highlighted the importance of addressing barriers to seeking professional help and promoting awareness of mental health services in educational settings. The study underscored the universality of coping strategies in managing depression among students and emphasizes the need for inclusive and responsive support services. Further research could explore additional factors influencing students' perceptions and evaluate the long-term impact of interventions promoting coping skills in educational contexts. Overall, the findings contribute to the understanding of coping strategies for managing depression and highlight the importance of mental health promotion in schools.